Front squat/cleans upper back rounding issue

[Johan Simu]

I have a problem when I front squat. For some reason my upper back is pronouncedly hunched over

One can see it in this clip at 0:52
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-tgIPxRWdg

And here when cleaning at 3:39
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFxB5AnOrps

I am not sure if this is a really a problem or just a peculiarity of my body. If it is a problem how can it be fixed? I have not been able to think of any cue that will keep my upper back straight and I tend to do it even with light weights.

Any general comments on my clean technique or lack thereof would also be greatly appriciated :)

[Johan Simu]

Here is a view from the back when front squatting at 1:55
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dajrY2JiJoI

I am doing them hands free due to a wrist injury

[Grissim Connery]

here's some discussion on the matter from this forum

http://performancemenu.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2666&highlight=front+squat+lordotic

[Johan Simu]

Thanks, good info in that thread. I guess I need to try to lift the chest more and raise the elbows more.

[Justin Lascek]

Johan, that grip you're using in the first linked video in the op is definitely going to exacerbate things. If you're fingers aren't on the bar and it rolls forward, it takes you out of balance and the only thing your body can do to compensate is roll forward in the thoracic spine.

[Johan Simu]

Thanks for the advice Justin.

I was using that grip due to necessity since I injured my right wrist quite badly and could not keep my right hand in the clean rack position for 2-3 months, somehow no grip felt better to me than crossed hands.

That injury is healed now fortunately so I can grip normally and clean again.